KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 ― Multi-level marketing company MonSpace (M) Sdn Bhd has issued a letter of demand to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng for allegedly defaming it.

Local daily The Star reported that the letter, issued yesterday on behalf of its CEO Datuk Seri Jessy Lai and former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, wanted Lim to make an open apology within seven days. Musa is the president of MonSpace Net Inc, a subsidiary.

"Our clients, being a renowned multinational corporation, and individuals have suffered injury to their image and reputation, especially among their customers and the public as a result of the defamatory statements made by you,” the letter read.

The letter was issued by Musa and Lai's lawyers, Messrs Shafee & Co.

Lim was alleged to have made the defamatory statement at a press conference here on May 13.

According to the letter of demand cited by The Star, the DAP lawmaker had insinuated at the press briefing that Musa was paying bribes to government officials, including those from Bank Negara Malaysia, to keep MonSpace "protected”.

Lim, Selangor DAP committee member Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew had visited MonSpace's headquarters in Bukit Jalil yesterday together with 19 Chinese nationals who claimed they were victims of the company.

The Chinese nationals alleged MonSpace had cheated them between 100,000 and 700,000 yuan (RM62,536 and RM437,754).

They had since lodged a police report against MonSpace at the Dang Wangi police station on Monday.

During the visit, Lim had demanded the company provide proof that it was running the legitimate business.

The company had been listed in Bank Negara Malaysia’s updated Financial Consumer Alert as an illegal business.

Lim said he had also lodged a report against the company over its alleged get-rich-quick scheme in January and had also raised the matter in Parliament in April last year.

The Segambut MP had also urged Musa to clarify his alleged involvement in MonSpace and to resign if he held any position in the company.